2007 Hawaii Music Awards Show

A GOOD NIGHT FOR ROCK:

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COMHonolulu Star-Bulletin staffer Mark Coleman, third from left, played a short set with his brother, Kevin Coleman, left, Joey Carroll and M.J. Fogarty after the CD reissue of his 1996 album, "Tunes with Love," won the rock category at the 2007 Hawaii Music Awards show March 23. Winners in 29 categories were announced in February and about half of them attended the show at the Tropics Showroom of the Hilton Hawaii Village. In accepting his trophy, Coleman thanked Jack Johnson, Henry Kapono and Jake Shimabukuro, "for not having an album in the rock category this year!" CLICK FOR LARGE

PURE COUNTRY:

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COMA short but powerful set by Ernie Cruz Sr., patriarch of the talented Cruz family (Ernie Jr., John, Guy and Tiffa, to name four), showed why his album, "Classic 'Only Better,'" was the winner in the country category. Few local artists can play country music as well as Cruz. CLICK FOR LARGE

ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO:

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COMAfatia Thompson, second from right, winner in the hip-hop category, was congratulated by his parents, Jack and Cha Thompson, and his wife, Nicole Thompson. Thompson's album, "5:54," is one of five now in contention for a 2007 Na Hoku Hanohano Award in the new R&B/hip-hop category. The winner will be announced at the Hoku Awards in June. CLICK FOR LARGE

NOW IT'S ALLIE'S TURN:

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COMAllison Chun, a two-time HMA winner in years past, shared the excitement with 2007 winners Pali Kaaihue (contemporary Hawaiian), left, and Manny K. Fernandez (traditional Hawaiian). Kaaihue now plans to get down to work as the producer and musical director of Chun's next album. CLICK FOR LARGE

TWO MORE FOR JOE:

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COMInternet radio pioneer Aloha Joe, left, celebrated on stage with emcee Sonya Mendez and Johnny Kai, creator of the Hawaii Music Awards. Joe received one award for producing the winning compilation album, "Aloha From Paradise," and another for producing the anthology that won the steel-guitar category. CLICK FOR LARGE